Applications are now open for the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships 2027, which offer graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa the opportunity to pursue selected Master’s degree programmes at participating African universities.
Funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the programme supports postgraduate education in Africa, particularly in fields related to sustainable development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For the current 2027 intake, selected programmes are available at institutions in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
The scholarships provide financial support that can include tuition fees, monthly scholarship payments and annual study or research allowances, while some scholarship holders may also qualify for additional support depending on whether they are studying in their home country or elsewhere in the region.
The general application deadline for the current master’s calls is 12 November 2026.
Importantly, applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other eligible Sub-Saharan African countries may apply, subject to the specific requirements of their chosen programme.
What Is the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme?
The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme supports postgraduate education at selected higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Instead of requiring African students to travel to Germany for their degree, the programme enables successful applicants to complete their postgraduate studies at selected universities in Africa.
The programme is designed to strengthen higher education, research capacity and sustainable development across the continent while training graduates who can contribute to academic, professional and development-related work in their countries and regions.
For the current 2027 Master’s intake, the scholarships focus on selected programmes that align with the Sustainable Development Goals.
DAAD In-Country vs In-Region Scholarships
Understanding the difference between the two scholarship arrangements is important before applying.
In-Country Scholarship
An in-country scholarship generally allows a successful applicant to study at a participating institution within their country.
For example, an eligible Ghanaian applicant studying under an approved DAAD programme at a participating institution in Ghana may fall under the In-Country category.
In-Region Scholarship
An in-region scholarship generally supports an eligible applicant who travels from their home country to another participating country within Sub-Saharan Africa.
For example, an eligible Cameroonian selected for a participating programme in Ghana, Kenya or another approved host country would normally be considered an In-Region scholar.
The distinction is important because some additional benefits, particularly travel-related support, may depend on the scholarship category.
Participating Countries for the 2027 Intake
The current DAAD call includes selected Master’s programmes at the following institutions:
- Burkina Faso
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Malawi
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Applicants should understand that this requirement does not mean that every university or every Master’s programme in these countries participates.
DAAD identifies specific universities and specific postgraduate programmes for which scholarships are available. Applicants must therefore select an eligible programme before submitting their scholarship application.
Fields Available Under the DAAD Scholarships 2027
The 2027 opportunities cover several development-related academic fields.
Depending on the participating university, available areas include subjects connected to:
- Agricultural Economics
- Climate Change
- Disaster Management
- Environmental Health
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
- Water and Environmental Engineering
- Agriculture and Food Systems
- Environmental Sciences
- Public Health
- Sustainable Development
- Other SDG-related disciplines
The exact programmes differ among the participating universities.
Applicants should therefore select a programme that closely corresponds to their previous academic qualifications and professional or research interests.
What Does the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Cover?
The exact scholarship package may differ depending on the programme and whether the recipient holds an In-Country or In-Region scholarship.
However, current DAAD scholarship calls generally provide substantial financial assistance.
1. Tuition Fees
The scholarship can cover tuition fees for the selected Master’s programme, according to the conditions of the individual call.
This can substantially reduce the financial burden of postgraduate education for successful applicants.
2. Monthly Scholarship Payment
Selected scholars receive a monthly scholarship payment to help meet living expenses during their studies.
The exact amount should be checked in the individual scholarship call, as scholarship rates and conditions may differ between countries and programmes.
3. Annual Study and Research Allowance
The scholarship can also include an annual study and research allowance.
This support is intended to assist scholars with academic and research-related expenses associated with their postgraduate programme.
4. Travel Support for Eligible In-Region Scholars
Applicants selected to study outside their home country may receive additional travel-related support according to the conditions of their specific scholarship.
This is particularly relevant to in-region scholarship holders.
5. Additional Opportunities
Depending on the programme and available funding, scholars may have opportunities to apply for additional support, including certain research stays or academic activities.
Such additional opportunities should not be assumed to be automatically included for every scholarship holder.
Who can apply for the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships in 2027?
The programme is aimed at graduates from Sub-Saharan African countries.
General requirements commonly include applicants who:
- Are nationals or permanent residents of an eligible Sub-Saharan African country.
- Hold an appropriate Bachelor’s degree that is relevant to the selected Master’s programme.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Meet the admission requirements of the participating university.
- Demonstrate motivation for postgraduate study and sustainable development.
- Meet any language requirements specified by the selected programme.
- Satisfy the programme-specific academic and professional requirements.
Individual universities may impose additional conditions.
Some programmes may specify the required Bachelor’s degree, minimum academic classification, graduation period, professional background or English-language proficiency.
Applicants should therefore never rely solely on the general DAAD eligibility requirements.
Can Cameroonians Apply?
Yes.
Cameroonian graduates can generally compete for eligible in-region scholarships that accept applicants from Sub-Saharan African countries, provided they meet the requirements of the selected programme.
Since Cameroon is not among the listed host countries in this particular current call, a Cameroonian selected for one of the participating programmes abroad would normally travel to the relevant African host country.
For example, depending on individual programme eligibility, this could involve studying in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda or another participating country.
Can Nigerians Apply?
Yes.
Eligible Nigerian graduates can apply for participating programmes that accept applicants from other Sub-Saharan African countries.
As with all applicants, Nigerians must meet the academic and other requirements of their chosen programme.
Can Ghanaians Apply?
Yes.
Ghanaian applicants may have opportunities under both arrangements depending on the programme.
A Ghanaian studying at an eligible participating institution in Ghana may qualify under the In-Country category, while studying at an eligible institution elsewhere in the participating region may fall under the In-Region arrangement.
Are Other African Countries Eligible?
The programme is specifically targeted at Sub-Saharan Africa.
Therefore, graduates from many other Sub-Saharan African countries may be eligible, including countries across West, Central, East and Southern Africa.
However, eligibility should always be checked against the specific DAAD call for the selected university and programme.
Academic Requirements
There is no single academic requirement that can be safely applied to every programme in the current call.
Participating universities establish their own requirements that are specific to each programme.
For example, a programme may require a Bachelor’s degree in a closely related subject and may specify a minimum academic classification.
Applicants should therefore verify both:
DAAD scholarship eligibility and university programme eligibility.
Meeting only one of these sets of requirements may not be sufficient.
Documents You May Need
Although the precise documents vary by programme, applicants should prepare for documents such as:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation letter
- Identification or passport documents
- Proof of nationality or residence
- Academic references where required
- Proof of English-language proficiency where applicable
- Additional documents requested by the host institution
Applicants should use the document checklist included in the official call for their selected programme.
How to Apply for the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships 2027
The first step is to identify one of the eligible Master’s programmes listed in the current DAAD call.
Applicants should then carefully read the programme-specific scholarship documents.
Step 1: Select an Eligible Programme
Review the available programmes and identify one that matches your academic background.
Do not select a programme just because a scholarship is available. Your previous degree should normally provide an appropriate academic foundation for the programme.
Step 2: Check Programme-Specific Requirements
Review the university’s academic requirements alongside DAAD’s scholarship conditions.
Pay particular attention to degree requirements, academic performance, language requirements and any restrictions relating to nationality or previous qualifications.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Prepare all required documents carefully and ensure that information across your CV, transcripts, certificates and motivation statement is consistent.
Step 4: Submit the DAAD Scholarship Application
Complete the required application through the official DAAD application system, following the instructions provided for your chosen programme.
Step 5: Complete the University Admission Process
Depending on the institution, the university admission application may be completed separately or at another stage of the selection process.
Applicants must follow the instructions for their particular programme, rather than assuming that the same procedure applies to every participating university.
Selection Process
Applications generally undergo an eligibility and academic assessment before candidates are considered for final scholarship selection.
The host institution may participate in reviewing and ranking candidates, while DAAD conducts the scholarship selection according to the procedures established for the programme.
Because the scholarships are competitive, applicants should pay particular attention to academic performance, motivation, relevance of their previous studies and the connection between their career plans and sustainable development.
Important Application Deadline
The current deadline for the highlighted DAAD In-Country/In-Region Master’s Scholarship calls is 12 November 2026.
Deadline: 12 November 2026
Studies are expected to begin in 2027.
However, applicants should verify the individual call for their selected programme, as university admission procedures and other programme-specific dates may differ.
Waiting until the final days before the deadline is not recommended.
Why African Students Should Consider This Scholarship
One major advantage of the DAAD In-Country/In-Region programme is that African students can receive substantial postgraduate funding without having to leave the continent.
Successful applicants can obtain advanced academic training while developing professional and research networks within Africa.
The programme also concentrates on fields connected to sustainable development, meaning scholars can pursue research and professional skills relevant to some of the continent’s major economic, environmental, health and social challenges.
For students who want to build careers in research, academia, development or related professional fields, the programme represents an important postgraduate funding opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship open for 2027?
Yes. Applications are currently being invited for selected 2027 master’s programmes under the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme.
What is the deadline?
The current scholarship application deadline is 12 November 2026.
Do recipients study in Germany?
No. These particular scholarships support study at selected universities within Africa.
Can Cameroonians apply?
Yes. Eligible Cameroonian applicants can apply for participating programmes that are open to Sub-Saharan African candidates, subject to programme-specific requirements.
Can Nigerians apply?
Yes. Eligible Nigerian applicants can apply for programmes that accept candidates from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Can Ghanaians apply?
Yes. Ghana is also one of the host countries included in the current programme.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
The programme provides substantial funding, including components such as tuition support, monthly scholarship payments and research allowances. Additional benefits vary by scholarship type and programme. Applicants should verify their individual call rather than assuming every cost is automatically covered.
Can I apply to any university in the eight countries?
No. Scholarships are available only for selected programmes at participating institutions.
Final Thoughts
The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships 2027 offer an important opportunity for Sub-Saharan African graduates to pursue funded master’s studies at selected African universities.
With participating programmes currently available in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, the programme gives African graduates an opportunity to obtain advanced training while remaining within the continent.
Applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other eligible Sub-Saharan African countries should identify the programme that best matches their academic background, carefully check its individual requirements and prepare their applications well before the 12 November 2026 deadline.
